Alex Salmond slammed over 'sexist' joke at Edinburgh Fringe show

Alex Salmond has been urged to apologise after he appeared to joke about having sex with leading female politicians – including Nicola Sturgeon.

The former SNP leader – who lost his seat at the general election in June – told the bawdy gag at the opening performance of his one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe yesterday.

He said: “I promised you today we'd either have Theresa May, or Nicola Sturgeon, or Ruth Davidson, or Melania Trump, but I couldn't make any of these wonderful women come.”

Following a drum roll, Salmond added: “To the show.”

Fringe-goers are paying £22.50 for a ticket to Alex Salmond Unleashed.

But Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “It would be wrong to laugh these comments off as a bit of banter, this is a former first minister degrading female politicians. Alex Salmond should know that comments like these are simply unacceptable and he should apologise.

“It would set a horrendous example to young men if he tries to hide behind these sexist comments as risque humour.”

A spokesman for Salmond told The Herald he would not apologise.

He said: “Don't be absurd. They are green at the gills. Scottish Labour are just miffed they didn't get a mention. They should enter into the spirit of the Fringe. It's the Edinburgh Fringe we are at, not fringe politics with Labour.”

Ironically, the Scottish First Minister yesterday waded into a sexism row after she condemned Clarks for a range of school shoe designs called “Dolly Babe” for girls and “Leader” for boys.

It is almost beyond belief that in 2017 a major company could think this is in any way acceptable. Shows what we are still up against. https://t.co/3C7Nop8o1E